Children of the Goddesses (completed)

Whispers of the Forest

Luna Kayla’s POV

            “The wolf boy said that Laila was in a small clearing in a forest and there was an enchanted giant oak tree that worked like a portal. The tree had a hollow which appeared after Laila tapped on it three times and mumbled something. This portal led to a tunnel which had a green door at the end. That was all he said before he passed out and he’s still unconscious, but we’re working on bringing him back.” 

            Aunt Ana’s pensive face betrayed the worry that she tried to conceal in her voice, and I knew that she must be at her wit’s end, if not she wouldn’t be calling me via the fire portal. Ever since the start of my third pregnancy, Grandmother had forbidden our coven from seeking any sort of help from me in a bid to conserve my magic for my unborn daughter. The pregnancy has been extremely difficult to say the least because my daughter would be a true hybrid descended from the lines of the first High Priestess and the White Wolf Luna, just like myself. Unlike us, both of my sons were white wolves, like our ancestor, the White Wolf Luna, but because they were boys, neither of them were able to inherit my witch gene. This was the reason why my previous pregnancies were normal werewolf pregnancies but our baby girl is one in a million. True hybrids were few and far between, and based on what our late Gamma’s parents were able to remember from my own mother’s pregnancy with me, it took a total of 12 long and difficult months before I came to this world. But I knew my own body the best and this time, I was determined not to fail Laila again. 

            “A tree portal? I’ll have to speak with the trees, Aunt Ana. Perhaps Baum or Eichen would be able to help.” The frown on Aunt Ana’s face faded as her face lit up at my idea, and I was glad that I could bring some hope to the situation. 

            “Are you sure? I know Finn doesn’t want you to exert yourself.” 

            I resisted rolling my eyes at my aunt’s sly question. She knew that I would do it anyway but that woman just couldn’t resist being cheeky, and it reminded me of where my sister got her sass from. 

            “I’ll be fine, Aunt Ana, but could you please take care of the young Gamma? Grandmother told me that you were going to use an ancient spell from the First Witch, and it has been centuries since anyone has used any of her blood magic spells. I’m not doubting you, I’m just worried. Despite everything, I know Laila must care for him.” 

            The relaxed muscles on Aunt Ana’s face tensed up again, and I knew that this was a sore point for her. She was no fan of werewolf mates after everything that had happened in our family, and I couldn’t blame her for her animosity towards the young Gamma but having gone through so much with my own mate, I knew that many times, things were not as simple as they seemed to be. No one was perfect and no amount of magic in this world and the next could guarantee perfect love. 

            “I won’t let him die on my watch, if that’s what you’re worried about. Gee sometimes you really do sound like Mama, and I didn’t mean that as a compliment, Kay. Anyway, keep me updated and don’t worry about wolf boy. We managed to stop the bleeding last night and he’s a werewolf, they heal fast, but given the amount of blood that he has lost, it’d probably take some time before he’s fully healed but I know what I’m doing.” 

            I pressed my lips together to hold back a smile. Despite Aunt Ana’s tough exterior, she was still a softy deep inside and I knew she wouldn’t actually let real harm come to Laila’s mate. After saying goodbye to my aunt, I got up from my armchair slowly and grabbed a coat before heading to the front door. 

            My Alpha, could you pick up the boys from daycare today? 

            Before I was able to make my way out of our front yard, my mate was standing in front of me with a disapproving look on his face. 

            “What are you up to now, my little Luna? Nothing harmless ever happens when you call me Alpha.” 

            “Indeed,” I teased as I winked at my mate. “But you seem to enjoy that when we’re in bed.” 

            A growl echoed in my head as my mate pressed his lips against my neck, nuzzling his mark on me and sending waves of pleasure through my body. “Two can play at that game, Kay,” he whispered lustfully. 

            A gentle breeze rustled the leaves of the birch trees in our front yard as their laughter rang in the air, only for my ears. “Alright, alright,” I surrendered to my mate as he took a step back and gazed into my eyes. “Aunt Ana sent me a message and I wanted to go into the forest to talk to Baum. I think he might be able to help us find Laila.” 

            Finn’s face softened at the mention of the vampire who had sacrificed herself two years ago to save me. Knowing that she had somehow survived and was out there needing our help was like a salve on the scars on our hearts. We couldn’t bring our Gamma back, but the Moon Goddess was now giving us a chance to bring Laila home. 

            “I’ll go with you,” Finn said gently as he put a hand behind my lower back to help relieve some of the burden of my bump off of me. “I’ll mind-link Leyton to get the boys,” he added.

            The leaves rustled as the refreshing scent of the forest flooded our senses, welcoming us as we stepped foot into the forest. Soon, we were in front of the great oak tree who had saved my life when I was still a helpless young pup. Closing my eyes, I reached out and placed both palms on the sturdy tree while my mate held my back and my bump to support me. 

            Welcome home, Kayla. 

            A warmth spread from my palms into my body, while my little baby kicked in excitement as we were once again connected to the forest. 

            Hello again, my dear Baum. I’m sorry that I haven’t been visiting more often but my little bundle of joy here has been sapping my energy. 

            I’m sorry to hear that, Kayla, but Birke and her sisters had already told us about it and we understand. It’s not easy to carry a hybrid, and your mother didn’t have an easy time with you as well. 

            My lips curled up hearing that the birch trees in our front yard had been keeping tabs on me. It was heartwarming to know that they cared about me just as much as I did about them.

            I need your help, Baum. I need to find a giant oak tree who is also a portal and the portal leads from a forest into a tunnel which ends at a green door. The tree has a hollow as well but that’s all that I know about the tree. It’s a crazy request but do you think you could help us to find this tree? 

            The breeze picked up and the clouds above our head seemed to move faster as the rustling of the evergreens around us became louder. 

            Only a live oak descended from the first live oak tree would be capable of this kind of magic, Kayla. There are not many of us left in this world and sadly, some of us have been killed by clueless human lumberjacks or taken captive by witches. I’ll try to contact my brothers and sisters, but I can’t make any promises. 

            I felt a tug in my heart as memories of the past, of a world filled with virgin forests flashed across my mind together with Baum’s words. A dull sadness seeped through his memories and I was at a loss to find the right words. The forest was a gift from the Moon Goddess and in more ways than one, it gave us life, but over the centuries, we have spared no effort in destroying it together with the other inhabitants of this earth. 

            Thank you, Baum. And I’m sorry for everything that has happened to your family. I can’t promise either that I can make everything right again, but I promise you that I would never forget the task that the Moon Goddess had given to me. As long as I still have breath in my body, I’ll do everything in my power to protect the forest.